Mumbai: The face of Mumbai is all set to change from 2011 onwards as a slew of ongoing transport projects like the metro and monorail will be completed whilst new ones will be launched giving a huge relief to commuters.

People are already getting tired of putting up with huge traffic snarls caused by hectic construction activity even as the existing lifeline of Mumbai — the suburban rail system and also the BEST bus service — are bursting at the seams.

The new projects will certainly help in not only reducing the pressure on the rail and bus services, but also reducing travel time.

Whilst the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning eight monorail corridors in the suburbs, the first phase of the 24.6 billion rupees (Dh2 billion) 19.54 kilometre monorail route from Chembur, a north-east suburb, to Wadala, is expected to be commissioned by May, provided some of the hurdles are overcome on time. This pilot project would be the first monorail in India.

As for the Metro Rail — that will serve areas not connected by the existing suburban railway and provide interchange facilities — nine corridors have been planned, with five of them partially underground and the rest elevated.

The first 11-kilometre Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar elevated metro rail line — connecting eastern and western suburbs as well as to Ghatkopar and Andheri stations — is likely to be completed by mid-2011. Once the metro is operational, travel time will be reduced from 71 minutes to 21 minutes.

With residents worried about the noise pollution along the metro routes, the MMRDA will erect sound barriers at special spots such as hospitals and schools. Additionally, completion of the Sahar Elevated Road by mid-2011 will be a big boon for travellers battling stress to reach the international airport on time.

Hectic stage

Meanwhile, the 22-kilometre Eastern Freeway — from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum in Colaba to the Eastern Express Highway near Ghatkopar — is expected to be completed by December 2011.

With the clearance obtained from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority to overrun the mangrove land, construction is presently at a hectic stage to complete the first phase of 12 km from the museum till Anik depot by June.